...Hallyu began roughly 12 years ago when the rest of Asia discovered Korean soap operas. One of the breakthrough dramas was a series 'Winter Sonata' starring Choi Ji-woo & Bae Young-Joon. After that, more Korean dramas saw their way to foreign shores and Korean films and music started to follow suit. Korean marketing people started to see a Korea-centric trend. They dubbed this flow "The Korean Wave" or Hallyu....

16.12.12

[News] ‘Winter Sonata’ celebrates a decade.

[News] ‘Winter Sonata’ celebrates a decade.

Cr. - Joongang Ilbo

To mark its 10th anniversary, the drama “Winter Sonata” will hold a fan meet next year in Japan.

The showcase will take place Feb. 8 at Tokyo International Forum Hall, according to the show’s Web site. More than 5,000 fans will be treated to a meet-and-greet event over two sessions.

Program director Yoon Suk-ho, as well as actors Jung Dong-hwan, Song Ok-sook, Ryu Seung-soo and the mother of the late actor Park Yong-ha will take part.

Those who worked on the theme song and the soundtrack will also participate in the fan meet.

It is not known whether leads Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo will make an appearance.

Since 2002, the drama featuring Bae and Choi has come to represent K-dramas worldwide. It was a big hit in Japan, and Japanese tourists still make the pilgrimage to Korea’s Nami Island, where it was shot.

In September, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said the KBS program was among those chosen to help foreigners learn Korean on the ministry Web site.